2010 Honda CR-V EX-L 4WD

Third place: The (Just) O.K. Corral.

In our 2008 “Mud Puppies” comparo, the CR-V finished second to the RAV4, although it was a statistical dead heat: 208 points to the Honda’s 206. Back then, the CR-V’s 2.4-liter inline-four—the only powerplant available then and now—produced only 166 horsepower. In the interim, Honda has located an extra 14 horses—mostly via a bump in compression—but that still leaves the CR-V 20 behind the next-weakest SUV here. The Honda was thus the slowest to 60 mph and was 1.8 seconds astern the RAV4 through the quarter-mile.

Even as its engine was huffing and puffing near its 7100-rpm redline, the CR-V nonetheless had little trouble pacing our group through the hills. For that, we can thank its taut chassis—unfazed by even the wildest back-holler whoop-de-dos—and its linear, communicative steering, which tells you all you need to know about road textures and grip. The CR-V can be placed confidently anywhere mid-turn, and nothing upsets it; witness its winning lane-change velocity.

We always think of the CR-V as an itty-bitty thing, but it approaches cavernous inside. It tied the RAV4 for greatest rear-seat comfort, in fact, and managed a three-way tie for the most cubic feet behind the rear seat.

Honda has freshened the 2010 CR-V with a zillion small upgrades—folding armrests that are an inch wider, for example—but the car otherwise feels the same, notably in the richness of its interior surfaces and their tasteful detailing. When you have the bestselling SUV in America, you fear making big changes.

We’d nonetheless suggest one: optional turbochargers or a V-6. If Toyota can do it for as little as $28,610, Honda can, too. A V-6 may help boost towing capacity—as it is, the existing CR-V can pull only a wimpy 1500 pounds. More important, this four-banger, dare we say it, is feeling a little wheezy. At idle, it proved lumpy and noisy, with an abrupt clunk every time the A/C compressor kicked on and off.

Mini-ute buyers claim to worship at the altar of fuel economy. Yeah? Then contemplate this: Over 1050 miles of Joie Chitwood–style driving, the RAV4 V-6 delivered an observed 24 mpg. The CR-V? The same.